The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1887-11-24
CONVICT LEASING.
AN ABLE PAPER by CAPT.
FRANK JOHNSTON, OF
JACKSON.
Cruelty, Degradation and Death
the Logical Offspring of
the system.

The following able paper is worthy
of pcrusal. The question is attract
ing great deal of attention in Missis-
sippi and hns been brought to the front
| in Georgia 10y Governor Gordon:
/ CONVICT LEASING SYSTEM.
The question of reforming the pres
cnt system of convict leasing has been
before the people OF Mississippi since
| the year 1854, the date of the first
public disclosure of its evils and abuses.
1t is needless to say that the issue is
here to stay until the Legislature
shall by real reform satisfy the de-
mands of justice and humanity that
have been to pcrsistcntly ignored in
the past.
The leasing of convicts is an iustitu-
ton
PECULIAR To TIE SOUTH.
1t has no existence beyond the limits
of the Southern States. 1t was born
of the notion that the southern States
Governments were too poor to sustain
anything better: and mistaken idea
of public,economy, lcagucd with lesSres
influence, has since promoted and per
petuated its existence.
Since its creation it has been acruel
and inhuman thing, the worst form of
human slavery. Unique in its pecu-
liar features, it stands, in all probabil-
ity. without a parallel in the history
of civilized people.
From time to time in the various
States where it tiouriShcs inquiry has
brought to light some gifts brutalities,
but its power has been potent enough
up To this time to battle any effort aim
ed at its dcstruction. And although
enough of its workings is known to
awaken public Indignation, unfoItu-
nately nothing has been accomplished
in the direction 0frcform.
IN MISSISSIPPI
there has been but one legislative in
vcStigation III respect to the inner lite
of this hitherto terra incognita known
as the convict camp. The discoveries
made by the House Committee in 1854
were horrible enough to attract public
attention and excite popular indigna-
ton, but official action only resulted
in IL new lease and nominal or real
change of masters. 1t is to be obscrv-
ed III this connection that the report
of this committee officially made to
the House OF Representatives never
found Il place III the printed journals
Of that body.
If the opposition to the leasing Sys-
TEN rests upon sound principles of
JrsTICE AND HUMANITY
then, beyond all doubt, it will win
the battle. Its apologiStS character
ize it as the Stntimtntality of few
tendrr-heartcd gentlemen. 1t is then
of importance to inquire whether it is
indeed false idea of humanity that
declares war against this institution.
\ few of its friends have decided it as
a good system, and so there have been
those who have defended every form
Of human slavery. But its most in
SideouS and formidable defenders are
those who deprecate in mild way
its abuses, but insist that nothing bet
ter can be devised, while the prime
argument that has been made to do
duty on all occasions and threadbare
with long Use is that any change
would involve expense to the State.
And the latest apology is the plea of
public Improvement in the form of six
years lease to railroad corpora ton.
Thus in protean shapes appear its
friends and apologistS.
have no disposition to deal with
the subject from any ideal point of
view, for the life of convict must he
one of penance and toll in the best
regulated State prisons.
But above all things, in dealing with
this question, we are bound on our
own part to inquire diligently and
scrllpulously whether this leasing of
convicts does not offend against those
principles of
NATURAL JUSTICE
that should he held invi0lable.
The subject presents itself in these
four aspects:
First--It is wrong upon principle
for the State to lease its prison and
convicts to individuals for private
profit, parting in any measure with
the government Of the prison.
Second-This particular leasing sys-
TEN is so full of evils and abuses that
it should be abolished.
Third-Any leasing system where
the cOnVicts are not under exclusive
government control, especially where
sub-leasing is permitted, is absolutely
incompatible with the proper treat
ment of the convictS.
Fourth--lt is criminal violation